PLANAR MOSAIC VIDEO TILES CREATE A UNIQUE PLATFORM FOR COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL EXPRESSION
Nashville has become a cultural and ethnic melting pot in the Southeast U.S., with citizens from many countries drawn to the creativity and openness of the vibrant city. This is particularly true of the southeast part of Nashville where the city's newest library branch has opened. Nashville's leaders recognized the potential of this area and chose it as the site of the new Southeast Branch, giving this diverse community a hub that would bring people together and celebrate both their differences and their shared values.
While a fresh, new library could be expected to fulfill this role, the branch's executives believed that advanced digital technology would be a strong additional asset. They became excited about the new forms of video walls; particularly about the emerging class of architectural video tiles, such as the Planar® Mosaic™ Architectural Video Wall from Planar Systems. Working with conceptual artist, Susan Hulme, and Anode, Inc., a Nashville-based interactive media company, a digital art concept was developed using Planar Mosaic to express the cultural diversity of the southeast community on an installation called Sharing the Moon.
An assemblage of nine Planar Mosaic video tiles, interspersed among 43 backlit LED boxes – arranged across a 37-foot wall space – provides a cutting-edge platform for expressing the Sharing the Moon concept. Artist Susan Hulme says this visual representation of text and artwork "provides a nexus of curiosity, discovery and inspiration." Stephanie Rodriguez, the library's branch manager says the installation "draws people into the library and further establishes it as a center of cultural and community activity."
Rodriguez comments further saying that "Planar Mosaic, by its unique style, communicates that libraries are changing and evolving. Its unique tile shapes attract your attention and inspire you to come in and explore all we have to offer. And whether the viewer is American, Spanish, Arabic, Ethiopian or Vietnamese, he or she sees themselves reflected in the content, which enhances the sense of community here."
Unique tile sizes capture viewers' attention
On the library's back wall, above the stacks and book shelves, Anode installed the Planar Mosaic video tiles and LED light boxes such that they can be seen from the front of the space, even from outside. Jeff Peden Sales and Marketing Director for Anode says two of Planar Mosaic's three available tile sizes were chosen: the 46- inch rectangle (AD46-Pablo™) and the 22-inch square (AD22-Salvador™).
"The square is important because it's the only one of its type on the market. People are used to seeing large rectangular displays – they're becoming a fixture in many retail stores today – but not squares like the 22-inch Salvador. There's nothing else like it so it really catches your eye."
Other features deliver important benefits
Beyond the asymmetrical design of Planar Mosaic – the ability to mix and match different tile shapes and sizes and mount them in new and different orientations – Peden cites the other reasons the tiles were selected for the library. Mounting of Planar Mosaic is easy as a result of its Mosaic Mount™, which supports any orientation of a tile and simple push-in/push-out attachment.
Second, Planar Mosaic features off-board, rack-mountable power supply modules that can be located away from the video wall. Power cables can be daisy-chained through a group of Planar Mosaic tiles, eliminating the need for power outlets behind each tile. Planar Mosaic is also available with a redundant power option for uninterrupted 24x7 operation.
And Planar Mosaic has exceptional content handling capability and image quality. Currently, the tiles display text – messages in the Sharing the Moon theme – against a calm, muted background color. The library can expand on or change this messaging, including showing 4k video (3840 x 2160 resolution) across all Mosaic tiles – as it is now doing – and displaying it at up to 700-nit brightness.
Lastly, with tiles weighing between about 16 and 50 pounds, installation can be done very cost effectively. "Whereas large video walls require us to use lifts or heavy scaffolding, neither is required with Planar Mosaic. This minimizes the number of technicians we need for an installation, enables a faster install, and keeps costs down for the library," Peden adds.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
